Notre-Dame on Fire 4K 2022

The film was directed by the renowned French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud. Filming took place at locations including Bourges Cathedral. Annaud strove for maximum realism, which is why the fire in the scenes is always real. The film is not only a gripping and dramatic portrayal of firefighters’ work, but also a visually stunning piece.

The film begins by showing scenes that could potentially cause a fire. The cathedral is 800 years old, with almost all of its structures made of wood, and its existing electrical, water, and fire alarm systems are on the verge of becoming obsolete. On the other hand, the modern firefighting equipment used by the French fire departments is impressive.

The fire scenes are spectacular, and the firefighters’ work borders on tragic risk. The shots of the gargoyles are particularly striking, as molten lead—not water—flows from their mouths.